un-doing Sram power links

Si78
Si78 Posts: 963
edited July 2009 in MTB general
Ive got a Sram power link fitted to my Shimano chain.

My question... How do I undo it????

I've tried everything.

Obviously, because I fitted it I know how the power link works, and how it fits together.

It's just so tight. Tried fingers and thumbs. Won't budge. Tried some WD-40 on the link, but it's not having it lol

Have not got any tools small enough to get between the links, to add a bit of leverage.

Any suggestions?
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Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    There's a neat trick in this month;s MBUK.
    What you do it get a piece of gear cable, and loop it round the two ends of the powerlink, then pull, and hey presto!
  • CommandoBoy
    CommandoBoy Posts: 173
    Get a old cable and use that between the two pins.
  • Speckled Pants
    Speckled Pants Posts: 118
    Once you get the nack of it you'll do it straight away every time.

    Just spay some wd40 on it first, then squeeze the connector while you push and it should pop straight out. Like i said theres a nack, but just remember to squeeze!
    Giant - https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/334272_10151115280715087_1148897730_o.jpg
  • Si78
    Si78 Posts: 963
    cheers chaps,

    tried the wd-40 and squeezing thing. just succeeded in hurting my finger and thumb lol

    Not got any old gear cables. Gonna hunt for something similar.

    Cheers!
    Why has my sig been removed by the admins???
  • Speckled Pants
    Speckled Pants Posts: 118
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeTmy6N_VQA
    Giant - https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/334272_10151115280715087_1148897730_o.jpg
  • lastwords
    lastwords Posts: 304
    cool never new that always struggled for a bit getting them apart never new about pushing the plates together
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    pliers?
  • Si78
    Si78 Posts: 963
    Nice one, wire trick worked well!

    Cheers!
    Why has my sig been removed by the admins???
  • Si78
    Si78 Posts: 963
    Speckled Pants wrote:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeTmy6N_VQA

    Cool, even better! Will try that tomorrow :D

    I see what you mean about a 'Knack'. Guess I was squeezing in the wrong place :oops:
    Why has my sig been removed by the admins???
  • captainfly
    captainfly Posts: 1,001
    loop string or cord through the ends then twist it to get tension, then press the sides of the powerlink? Or just grab hold of the chain either side of the powerlink push them together while pushing on th sides of powerlink with an index finger and thumb of both hands, works for me :wink:
    -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
    Mongoose Teocali
    Giant STP0

    Why are MTB economics; spend twice as much as you intended, but only half as much as you wish you could afford? :roll:
  • jayson
    jayson Posts: 4,606
    The SRAM power link, one of cyclings paradoxes if u ask me being both very simple and very difficult at the same time.

    It is a great idea none the less, why shimano dont use it or something similar is beyond me.
    Remedy

    Merida

    Austria 2012
  • JK in the UK
    JK in the UK Posts: 132
    Yeah, its a brilliant idea and they're a hell of a lot easier to undo than the KMC versions!

    Only once I've had a SRAM powerlink that I just couldn't get open. In the end I lost my rag, got the hacksaw out and cut through it. Took a while - hardened steel's pretty bloody hard surprise surprise!!! The chain was knackered and stretched and even when the powerlink was chopped in two I couldn't get it apart so it must of been seriously worn.

    Take care to keep them pretty clean - if grit gets behind the plates you can't easily push them together to take the powerlink apart.

    Also can someone explain the trick with the gear cable? I don't nor am I likely to have a copy of this months MBUK and its of interest!!
  • topsey_turvey
    topsey_turvey Posts: 420
    You could always splash out and use one of these. Easily worth the money.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7781
    Frank Yates
  • nonnac85
    nonnac85 Posts: 1,608
    I went back to using pins after having difficulty with sram links whilst out on a ride. I find it much easier to just use a chain tool to pop the bad link out and rejoin with a pin.
    My Website - Trail Centre info for the UK: MTB Trail Time
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    Wahoo, more specialist tools, I like....much.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • Si78
    Si78 Posts: 963
    Topsey Turvey wrote:
    You could always splash out and use one of these. Easily worth the money.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7781

    Yes it looks a worthwhile buy.

    I might just mutilate an old pair of needle nosed pliers with a grinder and rotary deburr, see if that works...

    ...and when it doesn't, I might buy one of those tools :lol:
    Why has my sig been removed by the admins???
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    I've got a "special tool" for this, which is an old cheap pair of circlip pliars with the tips bent inwards, works a charm. Completely unneccesary of course but still, nice to have.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    tried watching this

    http://bicycletutor.com/quick-release-chain-link/

    ?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown

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